PENINSULA Reach for the top
Saanich Fair this weekend
Stelly’s Secondary student Elena Moss is off to a world youth climbing event, page 13
Today’s Peninsula News Review includes your copy of the 2015 Saanich Fair program Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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Wednesday, September 2, 2015
MLA calls for a fee structure
Gary Holman petitions province on exam fees for drivers 80 years-old-plus Steven Heywood News staff
Spurred by a Sidney resident, MLA Gary Holman is continuing the fight to see some regulation of the fees doctors charge elderly drivers in B.C. Holman, NDP MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, recently wrote a letter to the health minister and B.C.’s attorney general on the issue of drivers’ medicals when they turn 80 years of age — and the apparent arbitrary fees they pay for those exams. “Doctors, in general, negotiate their fee structures with the province,” Holman said, adding this does not seem to be the case with the 80--plus drivers’ medical exams. “The agreement, as I understand it, is the doctors will set a reasonable fee structure.” After receiving complaints from local residents, Holman said he’s heard of people being charged a variety of different rates, even negotiating with their doctors for a lesser fee. The exam is mandatory in B.C. for drivers 80 years old and older, Holman explained, but there has not been a consistent fee established. It’s the arbitrary nature Holman said he wants to see changed. “Depending on the fee charged to these drivers — every two years after they turn 80 — the cost could cause them some hardship.” PLEASE SEE: MLA wants consistent, page 7
Carlie Connolly/News staff
Retiring Central Saanich Police Chief Paul Hames hugs his successor Les Sylven (right) during a change of command ceremony Saturday.
A beginning and an end
Les Sylven steps in as new police chief as Paul Hames says goodbye to his role
Carlie Connolly News staff
The Central Saanich police station was a busy place Saturday as people gathered for the Change of Command Ceremony to say goodbye to Chief Paul Hames, and to welcome Les Sylven into the role. The event also saw Derren Lench officially named as Deputy Chief.
After a few years with Central Saanich Police, Sylven begins his new role this week. “It’s a huge honour to have the opportunity to step into an organization that has been so well led over the last 16 years with Chief Hames and I think that we’re very luck to have such a supportive community,” he said. He said he hopes to continue connecting with the community, building those relationships and
trust. In his speech at the service he said there are three questions he asks himself: “is the community safe; how much do they trust us, and; are we ready for anything?” He said that is the framework the Central Saanich Police Service uses to make decisions. “And just answering those three questions are the questions that I think will help keep us delivering the kind of service
that the community is used to.” Aside from his new role, he is excited to welcome the new Deputy Chief on board. “He’s going to do great. He’s going to do fantastic.” Having just moved on after 35 years in the RCMP, Lench went to school on the Island and was an auxiliary constable on the Peninsula for a couple years. PLEASE SEE: Community in good hands, page 7
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